Further to my communication last week, I am delighted to inform you that our visitor pods have now been successfully installed.

Balancing resident wellbeing and safety is always at the forefront of our thinking and we understand how important it is for residents and their family and friends to be able to spend time together in the safest way possible.

We have been working hard to find solutions to continue to enable visiting in the winter months, whilst ensuring that we keep residents, visitors and staff as safe as possible. We have developed visitor pods and safe spaces in the majority of our homes which have been designed with both comfort and safety in mind.

The visitors pod installed at your home is hygienic and sealed to prevent transference of the Cornonavirus and therefore have an intercom system fitted so you will be able to hear your loved one clearly and engage in conversation, whilst being able to see one another through windows as a divider. Sanitisation takes place after each use to ensure the space is safe for the next visitor.

To enable an easier and more convenient way of booking, we have now launched this new online system for booking a visit, which can be found on the home page of our website www.swallowcourt.com . The system will help us to more efficiently comply with Government guidance with regard to tracking visitor information.

As you know, at present indoor visits to bedrooms are not permitted and visits can only be organised for those able to attend the designated pod or space.  We hope that when reintroduced, indoor visits to bedrooms will also move to the online system in the future.  For those who do not have access to the internet you will still be able to book by calling the home you wish to visit.

In line with Government Guidance and so as to allow all residents to receive visits, at this time we regret that we have to restrict residents to a maximum of two 30-minute visits per week.